kind. But why not three-quarters or six-eighths, they would do as
well?"

"What is more natural than to reckon the fraction, if we are desirous
of obtaining absolute precision? Is six months of your time of no
value? Are thirty minutes more or less on the dial of your watch of no
signification to you?"

"Your brother is perfectly right, Jack; you are not always successful
in your jokes."

"Other experiments have been made since then," continued Ernest, "and
the results have always been the same, making allowances for the wind,
and a slight variation that is ascribed to temperature."

"To confirm the accuracy of this statement, the speed of light would
have to be taken into consideration."

"True; but the velocity of light is so great, that the instant a
cannon is fired the flash is seen."

"Whatever the distance?"

"Yes, whatever the distance. Bear in mind that the rays of the sun
only require eight minutes to traverse the thirty-four millions of
leagues that extend between us and that body. Hence it follows that
the time light takes to travel from one point to another on the earth
may be regarded as _nil_."

"That is something like distance and speed," remarked Willis, "and may